Personalities from both sides of the political divide and the Hollywood world are uniting to censure former President Donald Trump for his statements following the shocking deaths of renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
After the couple were found deceased at their Los Angeles residence, Trump took to his platform to label the deceased director as "tortured and struggling". The message, he asserted Reiner's death was "because of the hostility he caused others through his enormous, unyielding, and untreatable condition with a debilitating disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME".
His comments quickly shifted to self-praise, contrasting Reiner's supposed "raging obsession" and "clear paranoia" with what Trump described as the "unprecedented era of America".
Authorities have since confirmed the arrest of the Reiners' adult son, Nick, on suspicion of homicide in relation to the incident. It is reported his bail was established at a substantial sum.
The reaction to Trump's post was immediate and scathing.
This is a vile and vile statement,” said actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Media personality Whoopi Goldberg, who called Reiner a close acquaintance, also condemned the remarks. Goldberg referenced previous comments from Trump regarding the killing of an activist, asking, "Do you have no decency? Can you get any worse?"
California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, succinctly wrote, "He is a sick man."
Echoing this view, US House member Maxwell Alejandro Frost declared, "What a contemptible piece of garbage."
Senator Chris Murphy commented, "Trump has just crossed a line. Now implying the Reiners brought on their own demise because they opposed him. So sick."
Some GOP lawmakers also voiced disapproval.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene emphasized that the situation was "a personal tragedy, not about political feuds or rivals". She also mentioned challenges with addiction and mental health within families.
Another Republican congressman, Thomas Massie, called Trump's discourse "inappropriate and disgraceful" considering the nature of the deaths. He openly challenged others in his political party to defend the statements.
Rob Reiner was consistently a vocal critic of Donald Trump. In a previous conversation, he stated Trump was "mentally unfit" for the office. He had also cautioned about the risks of authoritarian rule if Trump return to power.
"There is autocracy making its move around the world," Reiner noted. "Should the United States fall, there’s a risk that democracy crumble around the world."
Despite his strong criticisms, Reiner had previously expressed "complete revulsion" and condemned political violence unequivocally following the shooting of a different political figure.
Providing a element of past irony, Michele Reiner, previously Michele Singer, was the photographer who captured the photograph for Donald Trump's iconic book, The Art of the Deal.
Rob Reiner had previously recounted the anecdote of the photo shoot, noting Trump's demand for "special hairspray" while posing on a high-rise overlooking Central Park.
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